The unfortunate reality for the 19,000 Vermont children living in food insecure households is that their living conditions have significant detrimental affects on their overall physical health. . Studies done by the Center on Hunger and Poverty found that children of low-income households are more likely to be hospitalized and afflicted by certain illnesses including sore throats, stomachaches, colds, and headaches. Similar studies of low-income households show that iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with food insecurity. This inadequate nutrition takes its toll in the form of immediate and long term effects such as stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and even brain development, which can lead to impairing children’s mental stability.

1/6 Vermont Children are suffering from malnutrition as a result of unhealthy food or skipped meals.